we will now hold trials of only those capabilities which they were found to be lacking in these aircraft in those days,” an IAF officer told Mail Today. Sources said during the M-MRCA trials, the F-16 was not selected as it was found that there was no potential for developing the aircraft further while the Saab Gripen did not have advanced radar called AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array), which was mandatory requirement in that project. TESTING NEW CAPABILITIES IAF sources said both the firms have informed the air force that they would be fully compliant to the requirements now as the American firm has come up with a latest version of the F-16 known as Block 70 while the Swedish firm has also acquired the advanced AESA radar. “To test the new capabilities, there would a limited trial only and we are hoping to select and finalise the foreign partner within the next one year,”